COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Authorities in Columbus say an online child-sex sting led to the arrest of 44 people.
The three-month operation by the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force netted 40 arrests for downloading child pornography, according to Sheriff Zach Scott.
Four other people were arrested for trying to meet children for sex.
Eight children were identified as victims.
Scott says a total of 42 search warrants were executed as part of “Operation Red Box.”
Investigators also conducted undercover operations and followed up on complaints involving computer-facilitated crimes against children, Scott said.
The task force, created in 2009, is made up of eight full-time and eight part-time officers from agencies throughout central Ohio.